Second Captains @ The Irish Times

Eoin and Ken discuss Raheem Sterling's PR onslaught, and Man United reserve team coach Jim Ryan's views on workplace bullying.Richard Sadlier joins us to discuss whether Raheem Sterling is a mercenary young greedhead of startling effrontery, or a self-possessed young talent of independent mind. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Was Ireland / Poland the moment the Irish sports fan fell back in love with the idea of attending big football internationals? Ken defends the poor put-upon Irish footballer, and Anthony Moyles and Oisin McConville join us in studio for a requiem for Gaelic Football. Plus there's Ken's weekend of hate, and we tell you the difference between the Irish fan at home and abroad. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran discuss the must-win game that Ireland didn't win last night. Ken gives his controversial players ratings, Eoin reveals his secret affection for Ireland's most underrated player.Dion Fanning gives his reaction to the performance and Brian Kerr analyses how Ireland's improvement came about and the chances of escaping the group. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin, Ken and Ciaran reminisce about past Ireland-Poland matches, their fear of giant Polish strikers and reflect on football's insecurity in the face of Ireland's rugby glory.Richard Sadlier joins us to talk about whether Sunday's match against Poland is a must-win for Martin O'Neill's side, and if James McCarthy's personality is a help or hindrance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're joined by Seamus Hickey, Limerick shop steward for the Union of Hurling Defenders, fresh from their celebrations after Henry Shefflin's retirement. Gerry Thornley tells us why rugby will never be the same again after last Saturday, and we discover the Second Captains Pyramid of Power, the link between Brian Cody and Humphrey Bogart, and the importance of hugging. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the sports photograph of 2015, the Grealish mystery, and what modern football fans could learn from the serene positivity of Juan Mata.Tony Barrett joins us to reflect on what might have caused Steven Gerrard's meltdown. And Emmet Malone reports from the Ireland camp where the players have assembled ahead of Sunday's game against Poland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An unprecedented weekend of celebration for Ireland as we are simultaneously crowned men's and women's 6 Nations champions for the first time ever. Ireland's brilliant centre Jenny Murphy is joined by Shane Horgan, Matt Williams and Denis Hickie to recap two days of sporting madness.Plus there's Mike Brown's thinly-veiled barb at his northern cousins, Anthony Hopkins tears, and why Phil Jones would have been handy in Twickenham on Saturday. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Shane Horgan and Shane Jennings tell us what Luke Fitzgerald 2.0 will bring to the Irish team and why an enthusiastic Cian Healy is suited to starting games.US Murph tells us about the NFL player who has walked away from a mult-million dollar contract over concussions concerns.Plus there's power plays, the link between Ronaldo and Steven Fletcher, the art of cutting people, and always betting on the tall guys. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the greatness of Lionel Messi and how inadequate he must make all the other players on the pitch feel.Richie Sadlier joins us to talk about the peculiar humiliation of the nutmeg and the possible reasons for the Premier League's European failure. And Sid Lowe gives his impressions from last night's spectacular display at Camp Now. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss Wayne Rooney's public relations judo, Jose Mourinho's bad mood, and the scene most reminiscent of the climax of Watership Down in recent sporting history.Miguel Delaney has spent the last few days on Mourinho-watch, as the PSG fallout descends.And as Sunderland wave goodbye to their eighth manager in seven years, Jonathan Wilson wonders why they always seem to get it wrong. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Grand Slam is gone, but we think Ireland are still in with a great chance of winning the 6N... Gerry Thornley and Mattie Williams are not so sure the sparkle will return in time for Murrayfield.Clare were All-Ireland champions in 2013, but the internal strife in Davy Fitzgerald's camp was laid clear in Saturday's Irish Times - we talk about the "isolation and humiliation" felt by one player who left the panel last week. Plus there's shamrock on the brain, Ken's Neil Francis obsessions and one Celtic captain's night on the tiles. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ireland - Wales is the biggest rugby game since our last game in the 6 Nations, but that's just the way it is when a Grand Slam is on offer. Shane Williams, Shane Horgan and our own pocket-rocket Simon Hick are on hand to tell us why Joe Schmidt and Warren Gatland aren't about to over think this one. Johnny Ward of the Racing Post joins us to look ahead to the Gold Cup on Friday, plus there's Jeremy Clarkson, the eternal presenter/producer struggle, and AP McCoy's face in a crisp. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken hail David Luiz and Thiago Silva, the kings of Stamford Bridge. Who does Jose Mourinho blame for Paris' triumph? And why does he act as though it's impossible to win a game by more than one goal?Jonathan Wilson joins us for a closer look at Chelsea's failure.And Emmet Malone is on hand to analyse Martin O'Neill's latest Ireland squad. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eoin and Ken discuss the glitch in Messi's game, some misplaced angst about Ireland v England, and Wenger's vigilante justice. Dermot Corrigan reports from Madrid, where Messi and Ronaldo's fortunes seem linked but divergent. Raphael Honigstein joins us to discuss doping and memory in German football. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ireland keep winning, so what's the big problem? But Matt Williams reckons our brand of rugby won't make the sort of impact our team are capable of making at the World Cup.GAA referee David Gough was told not to wear a rainbow wristband in Croke Park during the Dublin-Tyrone league game - we speak to the man himself. And there's middle-aged cheats in Lycra, Mark English's racing intelligence and poor ol' Lance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We discuss Jose Mourinho's eternal quest for beauty, the amplifying power of football on Twitter, and tyrant body doubles.Richard Sadlier joins us to analyse the ethics of spitting and the progress of Louis van Gaal. And Emmet Malone is in to look forward to the big kick off of the Airtricity League. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The stock of Ireland's half-back pairing of Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton continues to rise and rise, to the point now where they are being routinely described as the best scrum-half and out-half combination in the world. Simon went to meet Murray to chat expectations, and putting the family filter on all the media hoopla.US Murph tells us about Spring Training and the US reaction to Padraig Harrington's brilliant win on Monday at the Honda Classic, and we hear about Murph's bovine alter-ego, spittin' time, and the return of Paul Galvin. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We discuss the fall of Allen Bula, the end of Jose's trophy famine, and why Liverpool might just have exorcised the ghost of Luis Suarez.Tony Barrett was at Anfield to see what he reckons might be the most important win of Brendan Rodgers' time at Liverpool. And James Montague puts forward the case that Qatar 2022 is a good idea. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Ireland machine rumbles relentlessly on; Gerry Thornley and Denis Hickie discuss the team's simple complexity, the importance of Sexton and the growing Welsh threat.Oisin McConville and Anthony Moyles talk to us about what's eating our gaelic football. Plus we have our first Buddhist monk listener, Ken tells us about the DJ 2000 he's working on to replace Murph and we predict the 2015 Rugby 'international rules' World Cup final. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We speak to Irish Micky Ward about the Gatti trilogy, family feuds, life in Boston and seeing it all played out on the big screen in the Oscar-winning "The Fighter."Shane Horgan and Stuart Barnes talk Paul O'Connell love ahead of Ireland / England, and one of our cricketing heroes Kevin O'Brien joins us from Canberra. Plus there's Richie Sadlier's cake, and the thorny issue of membership of the Blarney Army. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.